Trantor the last stormtrooper Commodore 64 game

Trantor: The Last Stormtrooper is a video game that was unleashed upon the gaming world in 1987. It made its debut on multiple platforms, including ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, MSX, Amstrad CPC, and Atari ST. KeyPunch Software later graced MS-DOS with a version of the game. The masterminds behind this creation were the talented minds at Probe Software, with notable contributors such as David Quinn, Nick Bruty, and David Perry. For Spanish gamers, it bore the name "Trantor" and was brought to them by Erbe Software.

This game is an intriguing fusion of shoot 'em up and platform gaming genres, renowned for its generous supply of large, well-animated sprites. Nick Bruty, who had prior experience working within the constraints of limited platforms, concentrated his efforts on the artwork, making adjustments elsewhere to accommodate the platform's limitations.

When it comes to gameplay, players step into the boots of the eponymous stormtrooper, the sole survivor of a doomed spaceship. The core gameplay revolves around navigating interconnected floors while collecting vital code-letters. Time is of the essence, as Trantor faces a strict countdown, with menacing aliens and airborne robots eager to siphon his energy upon contact. Trantor can defend himself using a flamethrower, but fuel is a precious resource that can only be replenished at specific locations.

Discovering a code-letter resets Trantor's ticking timer, but the relentless countdown resumes until the next letter is found, making the game a frantic race against time. Scattered throughout the floors are lockers containing items that provide assistance to Trantor, from hamburgers for strength restoration to clocks that reset the timer.

The game's climax is determined by Trantor's energy depletion or when the timer reaches zero, with the player's performance represented as a completion percentage, accompanied by a brief comment. For instance, achieving nine percent triggers the comment "Is that you, Fergus?" as a nod to Probe co-founder Fergus McGovern.

What sets Trantor apart from its contemporaries is its captivating opening sequence, a rare sight at the time. This sequence depicts Trantor's ship descending down a shaft with animated radar screens, ultimately ending with the ship disintegrating, leaving him alone and beckoning others to join him.

Critics' opinions on Trantor were diverse. Your Sinclair lauded it with a 9/10, describing it as "Wonderful entertainment and worth more than the asking price." Sinclair User's Tom Dillon was particularly impressed by the main character's animation, declaring it "the most realistic on any 8-bit computer" and awarding the game a flawless 10/10 score.

In contrast, CRASH was less forgiving, claiming that "excellent presentation and graphics conceal shallow gameplay," resulting in an overall score of 68%.

Trantor's mission, set against the backdrop of an alien world, was to thwart the nefarious ambitions of Nebulithone. The last stormtrooper, Trantor, was humanity's final hope in this galactic struggle.

To achieve victory, players needed to explore a complex filled with computer terminals, each containing crucial letters for the password needed to infiltrate the enemy's computer system. The complex consisted of various levels, each graphically distinct but sharing common elements. Alien adversaries populated these levels, with Trantor's flamethrower providing the means to eliminate them. Careful resource management was essential since ammunition was limited.

While exploring, players needed to access terminals at regular intervals. Failure to do so within ninety seconds spelled doom for Trantor. Special supply cupboards held useful items, some helpful, and others potentially catastrophic. Lifts on each level offered progression, but players had to choose wisely to advance.

Unveiling the password was just the beginning; finding the correct computer terminal for entry was the next challenge. Additionally, various objects collected along the way, from screwdrivers to computer passes, played vital roles in mission success.

Trantor's adventure featured captivating graphics, complete with large, well-animated sprites set against colorful, detailed backdrops. The game was also accompanied by a catchy synth track, showcasing the potential of the GO! label. However, the gameplay fell short of its promise, according to some critics.

So, there you have it, the tale of Trantor: The Last Stormtrooper, a game that combined the best of multiple gaming worlds but ultimately faced mixed reviews, leaving players to navigate a race against time in an alien complex.